Gas range construction



Oct. 22, 1940. A. P. SCHULZ 2,218,961.

I GAS RANGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. lO, 1959. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Il- .'g, 141mg.-

INVENFOR.

ATTORNEY.

OC- 22, 1940- A. P. SCHULZ ATTORNEY.

Oct. 22, 1940. A. P. scHuLz GAS RANGE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. l0, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAS RANGE CONSTRUCTION Application January 10, 1939, Serlal No. 250,234

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a gas range construction.

One of the many objects of the invention is the provision of a frameless gas range construction which essentially embodies a cooking top unit, a base unit and an oven unit disposed between the cooking top and base units adjacent corresponding ends thereof, the range being completed by opposite end jackets and a front door beween the ,10 oven unit and the adjacent jacket, thereby providing a range which is light in weight, as well as convenient of operation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a gas'range of the above noted character wherein the cooking top and base units each embody a marginal frame consisting of a seat preformed strip and wherein the preformed strips as well as the end jackets and door are provided with attractive contrasting colors in vitreous or synthetic enamel whereby a range of highly attractive appearance is provided.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a gas range comprising a cooking top having a front stationary Working surface and a irear tilt-top section which in one position thereof provides a further working surface in continuation of the stationary surface, and in another selective position thereof provides a cooking top.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a gas range including an oven unit which embodies a box-like portion having a swinging door for normally closing an opening in the front thereof, the door having means for supporting a broiler pan and an oven rack and the box-like portion having a burner supported therein for vertical adjustment between the broiler pan and oven rack.

For a more complete understanding of the 40 nature and objects of the invention, reference will be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: l e

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a range constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through the oven unit substantially in a plane as represented by the broken line 2--2 in Fig.A 3, the operating rod and associated pulley being shown above such section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the oven unit in a plane substantially as represented by the line 3-3 in Fig. 2, the broiler pan and oven rack being omitted in this View.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing the various cooperating units of the range assembly in perspective and in separated relation, the oven burner adjusting means being slightly modified from that described in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the oven unit shown in Fig. 4 with the door thereof in open position, exposing the adjustable burner, broiler pan and oven rack.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View of a range 10 of modified construction, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmental view partly in top plan and partly in horizontal section of a friction clutch.

Referring now in detail to the drawings by l5 reference characters, andwherein like characters designate like parts, R designates the range in its entirety.

The range'R embodies in its construction a cooking top unit C; a splasher back S for de- 20 tachable operative associations with the cooking top unit C, a base unit B, an oven or combined oven and broiler unit O, opposite end jacket plates J, and a door D.

The cooking top unit C comprises a marginal 25 frame I0 which is preferably formed b-y beveling a preformed rolled strip of sheet metal and suitably welding the adjacent ends thereof supported by the frame Ill is 'a panel II having a suitable temperature control I2 mounted therein sup- 30 ported by the frame I0 at the front thereof and extending throughout the length thereof is a i'lxed working top section I3 and suppported by the frame I Il rearwardly of the section I3 is a tilt-top section I4 which is pivotally connected 35 with the frame as indicated at I5.

The tilt-top section I4 embodies a plane surface at one side thereof which in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 is co-planular with the fixed section I3 for providing a working surface 40 at the full horizontal area of the frame I0.

The section I4 is selectively rotatable through an arc at from the position indicated to that in which the cooking burners are exposed for use by means of a handle I6.

The base unit B embodies a marginal frame I'l similar in construction to the frame I 0 and which is supported by suitable ornamental feet I8. Supported by the frame I1 intermediate the opposite ends thereof is an oven unit supporting 50 member I9 and suitably supported by the frame between the member I9 and one of the ends of the frame is a iioor 20.

'I'he splasher back S is provided with suitable brackets 2 I atl opposite ends thereof for detachable- 55 ehgagementlnorfsocketsmthettoung top'unit C for operative tion ofthe' operative association of the end jaket plates ,J

and the door D.

l The jacket plates J each include inturned mar' ginal ilanges 23 and 2l, the latter of which suitably engagetheframes I0 and Il for the plates in assembled pomtion and the former of which provide a ilnished appearance to the range.

The door D is hixlgedly` connected to the adjacent jacket plate J as indicated at and which door in the assembled range provides accs to a compartment deilned thereby together with 25 iloor 20, the adjacent plate J and oven unit O.-

The improved range as thus constructed embodies relatively few simple and light units which are capable of quick assembly and which provide a frameless range which is light in'weight and 80 yet suflicientlv sturdy to withstand ordinary usage to which gas ranges are subjected.

Furthermore. this construction readily provides for various color combinations by the use of synthetic enamel, particularly on. the parts such as the jacket and plates J, door D and the door.

of the oven unit O which are not subject to extreme heat and the color arrangement can readily -be made more attractive by the use of stainless steel and black japan on other parts entering o into the range assembly.

The combined oven and broiling unit 0 as is more fully illustrated in I'lgs. 2, 3 and 5 comprises a box-like portion 21 having a front opening 28 selectively closable by a door 29.

The box-like portion 21 is Vconstructed similarlytostandardovenssofarastheulclosingwallsthereof is concerned, such portion embodying double metallic walls 3l having suitable insulate' ing material-3i therebetween, the construction of the door 29 being substantially the same. The oven comparlment further includes an insulated top l2 andametallic-iloor 33 invertically relation to the bottom of walls 3l,

The door`29 as is more clearly indicated in ll'ig. 2 bows forwardlytoasubstaniial degree.

In other words, the front face of the door is considerably forward ot the vertical edges of the door for a purpose which will later appear.

The oven rack 2i andbroiler pan are supn ported by the door 29 as is more clearly indicated in Fig. 5, the oven rack 35 being selectively disposedinvertically arrangedguidechannelsll for vertical adjushnent of the rack, and the V.'broilerpan beingsuppol'tedbyapairof channels 38 below the series of rack channels I1.

Disposed within the oven compartment or portion 21 is a vertically adjustable base lmit or oven door 39 having a burner ll on the lower side thereof and preferably integral therewith.

70 Aswillbe`seenupoxl'inspectionofg.5,the floor Il and burner Il when door 2l is closed, rests between the oven rack I5 and the broiler panandbyverticallyadjustingtheiloor 3l and burner Il thecubic oontentsoftheoven 7;'- wmtnlspractlcauvbetwqenmoruanctnetop o! compartment Ilcon varied and tancebetweentheburnerllandbroiler Y canlikewlsebevariedto'suitanyddredbmiling The distance ofthe pastries beingbakedfromtheburnerllcanbevariedby disposing'theovcn'rackllinanyorneoithe vertillyspacedpairsotguidechannelsl'l.

VBy bowing or cupping the door 2l forwardly as disclosed, an oven of comparatively great depthisplgovided without the'necesaityofanl. oven of wldthand furthermore this formation of thedoor provides for the seatins ofasubstantialportionoftheraekllandpanll withintlledoorwherebyonlyaportionofeach need bewithdrawn from theoven compartment ll zluponopeningthedoon The door 2l is provided with a.t panel 4I whereby the position of iloor and burnerlI'IelatIVetotherackIIandpanNcan readily b-visualimd without the of n openingthedoorll.

The oveniborlhan'd burner Il arevertically adjustahleby means operablerexteriorly of the range and-in a preferredV embodiment thereof comprisethefollowingstructure. 26

Securedwithintherearwalloftbeovencompartmentllisachannellleachofwhoseoppositelegsorwallsprovidesaverticalroller guide channel,

Verticallydsposedwithintbecompartmentfl $0 adjacentthechannelltisamixertube 43 comprisingalowernxedseconll,andan upper movable section Iiintegralwlthandcommunicatingwiththeburner.

The movable section 4l is provided vvltn m11- as ersliwithinthecbannelsllforvertical movement ofsectlonwiththeburnerlrl and oveniloor llandwiththe adjacmtemkofthe mixed tubesections Mandllintelescopi'ngly vrelationasismol'ecleariyindicatedin40 Flg.3.

Gasisadmittcdtothemi'xertube bythefeedlinel'ltromwhichthc gaswlll be admittedtothehurnerllirrpectiveoftheverticaltof-thehnrnerduetotheg; closelyilttingtelescopicbetwcen the Vmixertullesecidonls'andll.

Secured to the upper and lower ends of the movable section Il withinthe channel" arethe adjacent ends of a wire cable or'other flaible so elementllwhiehutendsovermllleysllatthe topoftheovencompartmentllandpulleysilof the bottom of the compartment.

'l'hepulleysilandilareadjacent therearwalloftheentlasismore clearlyindicatedinm2and4-withthepulleys ilverticallyalinedwiththepulleysil. Thecable u extmds through a suitable guide sleeve' ilinthctopwalloftheoven compartment,

Interposcdinthecablellisaor on wunterweisht Il vcrticallysuidedin asuitable guidememberil securcdto the-oven compartment 21 adjacentarear corner-thereof..

Oneoftbepulleysilhasitsshaftextendedin theformofanrodiito-whosefree endissecuredahandleiforrotatingthepulley through the rod, the handlebcing externallyofthel'ilnBRa-skindicatedinlg. 1.

Irl rw.: sideoftheverticalcenterplaneoftheovencom- 70 Ypartment, when as in the preferred form, they aredisposedtotherightotsuchplanethe operatinghandlelwillbeto theleftofthedoorD.-

Ithomhepllllevsaredispedtothelett n of such plane the handle 56 will be positioned, as indicated in Fig. 4 wherein rod 56 extends through the hole 55' in the frame I6.

By the provision of the structure disclosed, the oven burner 46 together with the oven iloor 36 can readily be vertically adjusted relative to the oven rack 35 and/or the broiler p'an 36 by simply turning the handle or keys 56 and the compensatingweight 53 is such as to counterbalance the plates 39 and 40 whereby the burner and oven oor will remain in any vertical adjusted position.

With this arrangement of relatively simple parts the cubic contents of the baking oven as well as the distance of -the burner 46 from the broiling pan 36 can readily be varied and by the provision of the transparent panel Il in the oven door the position of the burner can readily be ascertained. j

Ii desired, a suitable scale may be provided at the base of handle 56 and the parts 50 calibrated that the exact position of the oven burner may be readily ascertained.

It is to be noted that the plate or oven iioor 39 is spaced at its 'margins from the inner walls of the oven compartment.

While the counterweight 53 effectively func. tions to counterbalance the oven bottom 39 for maintenance of position in any vertically adjusted position thereof, it is desirable to provide means for preventing vertical movement of the oven floor when additional weight is imposed in opposition to the counterweight 53, as when food is placed on the oven floor. Such means may partake of various forms but preferably comprise a friction clutch associated with the operating rod 55 and the adjacent pulley 50 as is represented in Fig. 7.

As shown in Fig. 7, a cone engaging seat 16 is rigid with the supporting bracket for the adjacent pulley and through which the rod 55 extends.

Suitably xed to the rod is a cone member 'll having a friction shoe 'l2 for normally frictionally engaging the seat 10.

Encircling the rod 55 and disposed between the cone member 1| and the adjacent portion of the pulley supporting bracket is a compression spring 13 for forcing the shoe 'i2 into frictional engagement with the seat 10.

'Ihe rod 55 is preferably splined in the pulley 50 for limited reciprocable movement and for imparting rotation to the pulley upon turning the handle 56.

With this construction, the pulley 50 will normally be braked against rotation by the frictional engagement between the cone seat 10 and the shoe 12.

When it is desired to adjust the elevation of the oven floor 39, the rod 55 is pushed inwardly against the action of spring 'I3 whereby disengaging the shoe 12 from braking engagement with seat 'l0 and then rotating the rod the required amount. Upon releasing the rod, the spring 13 will immediately force the shoe 'l2 into braking contact with seat 16 for maintaining the oven iioor in its vertically adjusted position.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated a modied arrangement for vertically adjusting the burner 46 together with the base plate or oven floor 39. v.

As indicated in this gure, the mixer tube sections 44 and 45 are disposed in a vertical compartment 60 at the rear of the oven compartment 21.

The section I4' has it lower end rotatably parallel at 6I against axial movement and the feed line 62 has a swivel connection with such lower end.

The section M' is externally threaded and the section 45' is internally threaded for a relatively short distance from its lower end for engaging the externally threaded section 44','whereby the section I5' will be moved vertically upon rota-4 tion of section M'.

The section 45'V adjacent its upper end extends through a slot 60' in the front wall of the compartment 60 and is detachably secured to the burner 40 as is indicated at 63.

'I'he lower end of section 44' is provided integral or otherwise with a pinion 64 in meshing engagement with a pinion 65 on the lower end oi' a vertical shaft 66 externally of the oven compartment 21.

The upper end of the shaft 66 is rotatably journalled in a bracket 61 and is provided with an operating knob l68 above the bracket.

In the use of thismodified construction, the burner 40 and oven base 39 are vertically adjusted by turning the knob 68 whereby, pinion 65 vis rotated through the shaft 66 and this pinion in turn imparts rotation to pinion 64 as well as the mixer tube section M'. Upon rotation of section I4' the section 45' is moved vertically, up or down, according to the direction in which the knob 66 is turned.

It will be readily seen from the foregoing disclosure that a gas range is provided in accordance with this invention which is attractive in appearance, light in weight, durable, provides maximum working space and by the provisions of the novel combined oven and broiler compartment having an adjustable burner, the cubic oen@ tents of the oven as well as relation between the burner and broiler pan can readily be varied.

While certain specific embodiments'only of the invention have been disclosed, such are to be considered as illustrative, and not restrictive, the scope oi' the invention being deiined in the subjoined claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

compartment, an oven rack and broiler pan supported by the door for movement into and out of the compartment upon closing and opening the door, the oven rack and broiler pan being respectively above and below the burner in the closed position of the door, and means externally of the compartment for vertically adjusting the oven floor plate and burner.

2. The structure dened in claim 1 lwherein aid oven rack is adjustably supported by the oor.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said oven iloor plate and said burner are integral, and wherein the margin of said oven iloor plate is in substantial spaced relation to the inner walls of the compartment.

4. In a gas range, a combined baking and broiling unit comprising a compartment having side, rear, top, and bottom walls, and a door hingedly connected with the front edge of one of the side walls for opening and closing the front of said compartment, an oven rack and a broiler pan supported by the door in vertically spaced relation with the rack above the pan, for movement thereof into and out of thecompartment upon closing and opening thedoor. a combined oven ilo'or plate and burner supported for vertical adjustment from said rear wall and with the plate and burner disposed between the oven rack and broiler pan in the closed position of the door, and manually rotatable means exteriorly of the compartment operatively connected with said com-f bined oven floor plate andburner for vertically adjusting same.

5. 'I'he structure deiined in claim 4 together with a gas supply conduit adjacent said bottom wall, and a sectional mixer tube disposed between said conduit and said burner, the sectional mixer tube comprising an upper section in iixed relation to said burner and a lowersection having its upper end telescopically engaged with the lower end of thevupper section.

6. A combined oven and broiling compartment comprising side, rear, top and bottom walls, and a swinging door for opening and closing the iront of the compartiment, an oven rack and broiler pan supported by the door and projecting within the compartment in vertically spaced relation in the closedposition of the door, an oven door plate having a-burner there beneath within the compartment between the oven rack and broiler pan,

' a gas supply conduit adjacent the bottom wall, a

sectional mixer tube interconnecting the conduit and burner comprising an upper section xed asiaoei to the -burner and a lower section telescopingly engaged with the upper section, and means for vertically adjusting the oven iloor plate and burner relative to the oven rack and broiler pan with the upper section of the mixer tube telescoping the lower section thereof during such ad- Justment.

"1. The structure deiined in claim 6 wherein said means comprises anti-Irictional guide means between said oven hoor plate andrear wall, rotatable anti-friction guide means on the top and bottom walls, a flexible element having opposite ends thereof connected to said plate and trained over said rotatable anti-friction guide means, a compensating weight interposed in the iexible element, and manually operable means for imparting rotation to said rotatable anti-friction guide means to raise or lower said plate within the compartment. Y

8. The structure dened in claim 6 wherein said means comprises a screw-thread connection between the upper and lower mixer tube sections, a pinion fixed to the lower section, a second pinion operatively meshing with the rst pinion, a shaft supporting the second" pinion, and manually operable means for rotating"saidshait whereby the upper mixer tube section ls raised or lowered between the oven rack and broiling pan within the compartment.

ARTHUR?. SCHULZ. 

